Last session the state legislature passed a bill authorizing a sixth Arizona Regional Center Area Health Education Center (AHEC) that will focus on the American Indian health system and workforce. Its creation was the culmination of the hard work of many organizations and individuals, none more so than Kim Russell, Human Services Coordinator at the Inter-tribal Council of Arizona.
In concert with the other five regional AHECs, the Arizona American Indian AHEC will support the overall mission to enhance access to quality health care, particularly primary and preventive care, by improving the supply and distribution of health care professionals through academic/community educational partnerships in rural and urban medically underserved areas.
The Arizona AHECs major funded activities include:
- Youth (Grades K-16 Health Career Pipeline Programs) introduces Arizona’s youth to health careers
- Health Professions Trainee Education includes clinical rotations, also called field experiences
- AHEC Scholars Community Interprofessional Community Immersion
- Continuing Education for working health professionals
- Community Health Promotion for health education activities and events for community members
Tribal partners are currently meeting to prepare a request for proposal for the creation of the new Tribal AHEC Regional Center in early 2022. To learn more about the Arizona American Indian AHEC, please visit: https://azahec.uahs.